Non-aqueous aluminum anodizing

Abstract

A component for an electronic device can include a part including a first metal and a second metal diffusion bonded to the first metal. The first metal can be aluminum and the second metal can be different from the first metal. A porous aluminum oxide layer can overlie a portion of the first metal and can be disposed adjacent to an interface between the first metal and the second metal. The component can further include a non-metallic material bonded to the part and extending into pores defined by the porous aluminum oxide layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A part, comprising:
 a substrate comprising a first metal;
 a second metal secured to the substrate and defining an external surface of the part, the first metal comprising aluminum and the second metal being different from the first metal; 
   a porous aluminum oxide layer formed from the substrate and disposed adjacent to an interface between the substrate and the second metal; and   a non-metallic material coupled directly to the second metal and the porous aluminum oxide layer, the non-metallic material positioned orthogonally to the interface.   
     
     
         2 . The part of  claim 1 , wherein the second metal is denser than the first metal. 
     
     
         3 . The part of  claim 1 , wherein the non-metallic material comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         4 . The part of  claim 1 , wherein the external surface is curved. 
     
     
         5 . The part of  claim 1 , wherein the non-metallic material comprises a flowable material. 
     
     
         6 . The part of  claim 5 , wherein the flowable material is disposed within a plurality of pores of the porous aluminum oxide layer. 
     
     
         7 . A housing for an electronic device, comprising:
 a sidewall comprising:
 a first metal defining an external surface; and 
 a second metal secured directly to the first metal defining an interface between the second metal and the first metal, the second metal being less dense than the first metal and including a porous oxide layer; 
   an oxide layer formed on a surface of the second metal; and   a polymeric portion coupled directly to the oxide layer and the first metal, and positioned orthogonally to the interface.   
     
     
         8 . The housing of  claim 7 , wherein the second metal comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         9 . The housing of  claim 7 , wherein the polymeric portion comprises plastic. 
     
     
         10 . The housing of  claim 7 , wherein the polymeric portion comprises resin. 
     
     
         11 . The housing of  claim 7 , wherein the oxide layer includes etched engagement features. 
     
     
         12 . The housing of  claim 11 , wherein the polymeric portion is interlocked with the engagement features. 
     
     
         13 . The housing of  claim 7 , wherein the first metal is secured to the second metal via a surface interlocking structure. 
     
     
         14 . A component for an electronic device, comprising:
 a part comprising:
 a metal; 
 aluminum secured directly to the metal; and 
 a porous aluminum oxide layer defining at least one of a plurality of pores or etched engagement features, the porous aluminum oxide layer overlying at least some of the aluminum and disposed adjacent to an interface between the aluminum and the metal; and 
   a non-metallic material bonded to the metal and the porous aluminum oxide layer and extending into the plurality of pores, the non-metallic material positioned perpendicular to the interface.   
     
     
         15 . The component of  claim 14 , wherein the aluminum is disposed between the non-metallic material and the metal. 
     
     
         16 . The component of  claim 14 , wherein the etched engagement features defines undercut features and the non-metallic material fills at least some of the undercut features. 
     
     
         17 . The component of  claim 14 , wherein the non-metallic material comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         18 . The component of  claim 17 , wherein the non-metallic material comprises at least one of plastic or resin.